Foldable screen-supporting frame.



J. B. LYNCH. FOLDABLE SCREEN SUPPORTING FRAME. APPLICATION FILED 13110.12, 1912.

1,078,587, Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

. O INVENTOH it n QM ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., wAsmNu'raN, D. cv

JACOB B. LYNCH, 01? LOGAN$POLRT, INDIANA.

FOLDABLE SCREEN-SUPPORTING FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1913.

Application filed December 12, 1912. Serial No. 736,449.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAooB B. LYNoI-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Logansport, in the county of Cass and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Screen- Supporting Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to supporters, and it more particularly relates to an improved foldable screcnsupporting frame.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient folding frame for supporting a table cover or screen for the dishes thereon.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide adevice of this character which is susceptible of various uses, such as supporting a fly screen over a person while sleeping, or over a sick person or infant, or for use in stores and markets, for supporting fly screen over articles of merchandise to be protected from flies and other insects.

Astill further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be quickly and easily folded into compact form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple of construction, comparatively inexpensive, and thoroughly efficient.

With these objects in view the invention consists of an improved construction, ar rangement and combination of parts of a foldable screen-supporting frame, which will be hereinafter fully described and afterward specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved screen-supporting frame. Fig. S2 is a front elevation view of the frame. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the pivot housing. Fig. 1 is a rear-elevation view of the housin Fig. 5 is a sheet metal blank from which the housing is to be formed, and, Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring to these drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts, throughout the several figures, the folding frame comprises several pivotally mounted frame members 10 which may be of any desired dimensions, according to the use which the frame is to be applied. The members may also be modified in shape, so as to render the frame higher or lower, or narrower or wider, or to have greater or less slope or curvature, without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. 1 preferably form the frame members with approximately vertical leg elementsll tcrminating in feet. 12 which may be formed as circular loops, as shown so that no sharp edges or points are exposed to mar the table cloth or the table. Each of these elements 10 has a pivot member 13, formed on the opposite end. These three pivot members 13 are inclosed in a single noirpartitioned casing in contiguity with each other, and in movable relation with each other and with the housing, so that the members 10 may be folded upon each other.

In carrying the invention into effect, I provide a blank 1 1 of sheet metal, the main body of which is substantially quadrilateral in outline and has a tongue 15 formed on one edge and a second tongue 16 on its opposite ends. lhe tongue 15 and the free end of the tongue 16 are of substantially elliptical contour. In forming the blank into a casing, the elliptical portion 16 is bent at right angles to the body of the blank, and the rectilinear edges 17 and 18 are then curved around the edge of the tongue 15 and brought into contiguity at the medial portion of the tongue 15, so as to form a flat tubular casing having one end closed by the tongue 15. The length of the tongue is substantially three times the diameter of the pivots 13, while the width thereof is substantially equal to the diameter of said pivots, and the length of the sides 17 and 18 is approximately equal to the length of the pivots; so that, when the pivots are inserted in the casing 14;, which is formed of the blank 14:, said pivots have their axes in a common plane, while the adjacent portions of the memberslO, where they unite with the pivots 13 are also in a common plane when folded, being also parallel. with each other. After assembling the pivots within the casing, the elliptical end of the tongue 16 is then bent at right angles to the neck 16 which connects it with the body 1 1-, so that it lies in a substantially horizontal plane under the pivots and the {LCljOllllllQ portions of the members 10, and thereby constitutes a keeper for retaining the pivots in the casing. When thus assembled, the frame may be spread into the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or it may be spread with the members 10 at any desired angles, or it may be folded into compact form, with the members 10 in contiguity and in parallel relation, as described.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 6, the casing 6 is the same as shown in the other figures, with the exception that it is inverted; while the members 10 difier from the members 10 only in having their pivots extending down instead of up.

It will be seen that I have provided a device of this character which is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects, and in a thoroughly practical and eficient manner.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

I claim 1. A support of the character described comprising a blank of sheet metal bent into the form of a fiat casing, a tongue projecting from one end of the casing comprising a neck and a plate of substantially the form of the cross section of the casing, and a series of frame members having pivot ends at substantially right angles to the bodies of said members, said pivots being seated in the casing side by side and the bodies of the frame members projecting laterally therefrom, the plate of the tongue being bent at a right angle to the tongue and parallel with the end of the casing and holding the pivots in position in the casing.

2. In a support of the character described, a casing formed from a blank of sheet metal having an elliptical element thereon, said elliptical element being turned at right angles to the main body of the blank, said blank having two opposite edge portions curved around one of said elliptical elements so as to form a fiat tubular casing having one end closed, said blank having a second elliptical element bent into parallel relation to the first said elliptical element and in spaced relation tothe open end of the easing, so that several pivots may be fitted into and secured within the casing substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANK E. SCHAFER, J OHN MULOAHY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

